CREATIVE BUSINESSES
Please note that the inclusion of these links and sources does not constitute an endorsement by the Downtown Fort Collins Creative District. (updated June 2025)
Helpful Resources and Updates!
- The Colorado State Fair is just around the corner! Artists from across the state are encouraged to consider entering their work in the annual Fine Arts Exhibition, Aug. 22 – Sept. 1. Information regarding categories, entry deadlines and fees, etc., can be found at on the website.
- America 250/Colorado 150 – Be part of the big celebration! Get your event listed and check out grants and more details!
- The Multicultural Business & Entrepreneurship Center offers business services to the community to help businesses with technical assistance. FREE, Spanish and English Services, All businesses and entrepreneurs are welcome.
- Makers and Crafters Business 101 – need help with your sales tax and business organization – see our list of helpful tips for Makers and Crafters
- Host a CSU Student with a Micro-Internship! These can be short-term projects that can typically be completed within 5-40 hours and is due within a few days to a few weeks. These projects require no on-boarding, are paid 1099 and can be completed by a college student with minimal instruction. This is a great way to finish projects you have been meaning to get to, it is also a great way introduce your company to students and see if there is a potential fit for future opportunities and ultimately, it is a great way to support CSU students.
LOCAL RESOURCES
- FORT COLLINS BUSINESS HELP:
- City of Fort Collins Business Support and Roadmaps – for information on Fort Collins licenses, compliance, registration and helpful business organizations
- CSU Executive Education programs and courses
- Downtown Fort Collins – Downtown Development Authority helps you get plugged into Downtown promotions and information
- FoCoFreelance.com – Register or search here for Fort Collins Freelancers
- ForFortCollins.com – businesses/citizens help to promote shopping locally with marketing asset generator, connections and resources
- Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce – A member-based business service organization providing networking, conferences, workshops, leadership courses and business advocacy.
- Larimer SBDC – Free one on one professional business consulting, special creative industry professionals, workshops/classes, business resources and tools
- Multicultural Business and Entrepreneur Center – The MBEC is a free bilingual (English & Spanish) center that provides business owners and entrepreneurs easy access to business service providers, resources, mentorship and specialty training. And connects them to critical resources to create, launch and grow a business.
- HEALTH:
- Mental Health Support for Larimer County: 970-221-5551. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. If you’re in crisis, call the Colorado Crisis Line 1-844-493-8255.
- Dental and hearing screenings for music industry professionals through The Fort Collins Musicians Association (FoCoMA) and MusiCares.
- FUNDING:
- NoCo Music Event Fund – Apply for a grant to support music for your event ( THis fund wil lbe discontinued in 2026)
- City of Fort Collins Fort Fund Grant
- Larimer SBDC – Help with identifying funding, preparing for loans, alternative lenders and business finances.
STATE RESOURCES
- COLORADO BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Colorado Office of Economic Development and Economic Trade
- Colorado Creative Industries has arts grants, programs, the latest statewide resources and ways people can support the arts
- CBCA: Colorado Business Committee for the Arts has many resources for artists, arts nonprofits, as well as, the business community in general
- FUNDING:
- Alternative Colorado lenders: Accion and B:Side Capital, Colorado Microloans, Kiva Loans, and Colorado Credit Reserve are for people who are underserved by traditional debt markets
- Colorado’s CLIMBER small business loan fund! These are below market rate loans with favorable terms for small businesses with 5-99 employees. CLIMBER loans are available to non-profit businesses along with for-profit and sole proprietorships. Special consideration is given to small businesses located in rural, distressed, and underserved areas, including communities with low to moderate incomes.
- INFO & SERVICES:
NATIONAL RESOURCES
- NATIONAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Americans for the Arts has a list of national resources
- Springboard for the Arts brings together artists and creatives with municipalities, agencies, and organizations to create culture-based collaborations.
- NIVA – (National Independent Venues Association) – guidance about venues reopening, advocacy and support for venue owners
- Small Business Administration Funding Programs
- Small Business Administration 24/7 Help Line: 1-800-659-2955
- FUNDING AND NETWORKS:
- Freelancer’s Union
- Kiva Loans – Yes, 0% interest – no catch. They’re a non-profit aimed at expanding access to capital. Worldwide loans
- Alignable is a small businesses referral network.
